The top 10 skin care stores in Toronto

Skin care stores in Toronto are there for you when you need something a little more heavy-duty than whatever's on the shelves at Shoppers Drug Mart (and want to shop for it in an environment less overwhelming than Sephora). Breaking away from the bigger chains can open your mind (and your pores) to a whole new world of possibilities. Whether your skin craves fragrance-free, all-natural formulations or world-renowned boutique lines, you'll be able to find that glow you're looking for.

Here are my picks for the top skin care stores in Toronto.

Cure ApothecaryThis new Queen West shop is low-key, welcoming, and brimming with all-organic beauty products for guys and gals. Products tend toward the light, soothing and easily absorbed, with plenty of fragrance-free options available for sensitive skin. (Be sure to check out the locally-made face and beard oils from F. Miller.)

Gee BeautyIf you've got a high skin care budget, book it over to (where else?) Rosedale. This Yonge and Roxborough salon, in addition to a menu of luxurious beauty procedures, will sell you some of the skin care world's best brands to go, including Eve Lom, Rodin, Skinceuticals and Dermalogica.

Consonant SkincareThis Canadian skin care line started as a pet project for a longtime sufferer of skin ailments, and morphed into a major success story, with a flagship boutique landing near Yonge and Eglinton in 2011. Since then, the company been converting Torontonians to its line of eco-friendly, all-natural products, served up in clean, minimal packaging by knowledgeable staff.

HuskThis Yorkville shop, founded by a nutritionist and personal trainer, merges a hippie naturalism with Mink Mile luxury. Though marquee skin care companies like Tata Harper are represented, the focus on all-natural, holistic products extends to local lines like The Parkdale Butter and finds from further afield, like The Body Deli's fruit-infused cleansers and Hurraw lip balm.

TrinitaeAll of Trinitae's skin care products are derived from the fruit, herbs and minerals of Jordan, with Dead Sea mud and aloe vera front and centre in their masks, creams, and cleansers. (Another bonus: Naturally occurring scents like vanilla, lavender, rosemary and patchouli.)

SajeThis Vancouver-based line, a recent Toronto transplant, has the distinction of using absolutely zero synthetic ingredients in their products, from toners and cleansers to serums and moisturizers. (They're even refusing to roll out their forthcoming haircare line until they find botanicals that work just as well as the synthetic stuff.)

Kiehl'sThough they might set themselves apart from Toronto's skin care boutiques thanks to their international chain status, it's tough to leave Kiehl's Queen West flagship store off of the list. The New York-based company has long been a favourite of no-nonsense men and women looking for unfragranced, unfussy skin products that get the job done.

Miracle10This Toronto-based line, and its accompanying Yorkville boutique, were dreamed up by plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Lista. They dispense with the straight-from-the-earth focus for a medically-driven approach in a sleek, glossy boutique, but their products have drawn rave reviews all the same - and though there's a strong anti-aging focus, those with acne and other skin issues will find something to like.

MenEssentialsOn top of being one of the best sources in town for shaving gear and men's fragrances, this Danforth shop has plenty of range when it comes to skin care. Their thousands-strong inventory, featuring a mix of new and old-school brands (including Baxter of California, Anthony Logistics and D.H. Harris) makes them well-suited to hit a number of price points.

Pure + SimpleThey made their name as a Toronto chain of skin-oriented spas, but it's worth stopping in for a spot of shopping as well. They've formulated a number of natural in-house lines, including an ayurveda-focused collection and one geared toward men; in addition, you'll find products from Aussie line Jurlique, Germany's Martina Gebhart, and Kaia Naturals, based right here in Toronto.